CRANK UP THE OVEN FOR CHEDDAR SHORTBREAD DIAMONDS {page 26} ALL GROWN UP JUSTIN BIEBER CELEBRATES 18TH BIRTHDAY {page 25}
ON THE VERGE TAYLOR KITSCH TAKING FAME AS IT COMES
{page 18}
VANCOUVER
Weekend, March 2-4, 2012 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing.
HIV proves no obstacle Treatment, education allow couples to live normal lives: Vancouver Coastal Health MATT KIELTYKA/METRO
Today, HIV-AIDS is no more a death sentence than it is a barrier to love. Vancouver Coastal Health says that, with effective diagnosis and treatment, couples are able to live normal, healthy lives even if one partner is HIV-positive. “We’ve come a long way,â€? said Dr. RĂŠka Gustafson, the director of communicable-disease control at VCH. “If one partner has an infection, you can manage it with treatment and go on to live a long, healthy life together. The biggest myth that exists is that HIV is a death sentence and you can’t prevent transmission.â€? A recent four-year study conducted by VCH proved otherwise. The health authority tracked 900 serodiscordant couples — where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative — and recorded only one case of HIV transmission in that time, and that was before the infected partner’s treatment took effect. Bradford McIntyre and his husband, Deni Daviau, are living proof that the virus doesn’t get in the way of a positive, long-term relationship. The two Vancouver men have been happily married for 10 years; McIntyre has been living with HIV for 28.
Teachers to strike 3-day walkout begins Monday across B.C. Parents urged to find alternative arrangements for their children {page 3}
Deni Daviau, left, and Bradford McIntyre have been happily married and healthy for 10 years, despite the fact McIntyre is HIV-positive. A recent survey has shown advances in medical care and education are permitting couples to live out regular lives.
“In the early years, when I told people I was HIV-positive, people were frightened and even ran as fast as they could because of the stigma,� said McIntyre. “We now know, through treatment, a person can have a normal life, date, get married and have children.� Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can reduce viral loads in patients to the point where the risk of transmission is
as low as one per cent — and virtually eliminated with safe-sex practices. “There is more to life than the disease, more to a relationship,� said Daviau. “There are small health issues that Brad has to deal with. It’s part of life.� McIntyre added,�It may not be easy at times, but couples get through.� The key is to access treatment
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as soon as possible, starting with diagnosis. VCH offers HIV testing at hospitals and family medical clinics. Gustafson recommends anyone getting a blood test to ask for HIV screening as well. “Most people will test negative,� she said. “But in the unlikely case the test is positive, you get the best support and care very quickly.� MATT KIELTYKA
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Canucks close door Vancouver shuts out St. Louis 2-0 {page 28}
Such great heights UBC-led team headed to Everest to study oxygen deprivation {page 8}
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